Walmart Foundation on Tuesday (27 August 2019) has announced Rs. 34 crore ($4.8 million) grants to Digital Green and TechnoServe as part of its long-term commitments to support initiatives that focus on enhancing farmers’ income. The funding have been given to support programmes that will enable smallholder farmers have access to latest agriculture technology, training on best agricultural practices, increase access to formal markets & skill and capacity building for FPO or farmer producer organisations.
Kathleen McLaughlin, EVP & Chief Sustainability Officer at Walmart & Head of Walmart Foundation, told that “Last year (2018) in September, Walmart Foundation had committed to contribute $25 million (Rs. 180 crore) over the next 5 years to enhance farmer’s livelihood in India.
As part of this commitment, we have announced these 2 new grants to TechnoServe and Digital Green.”
The company told these grants will have a positive impact on over 81,000 farmers in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Walmart India has also committed to source 25% of the produce sold in its Cash & Carry stores straight from growers by 2023, Kathleen added. She said, “We hope that Walmart Foundation’s commitments, along with the work of Walmart India’s direct farm sourcing teams will help contribute to sustainable agriculture development in India”.
